SHOPPERS and retailers will all be welcoming Plymouth City Centre Company's call for more free parking.

The organisation is following the lead set by new high street guru Mary Portas by calling on the council to reconsider parking charges.

City Centre Manager Clint Jones is to urge the city council to introduce free parking at certain times of the day.

His proposal raises the issue of a return to free evening parking – which will certainly boost the night-time economy – but many retailers will hope the changes could go further.

The ease of shopping online and the lure of out-of-town shopping centres, with their own free parking, are taking their toll on Plymouth City Centre.

And by introducing a few hours of free parking late in the afternoon, the city centre could attract more shoppers to enjoy the city centre's mix of department stores, chains and independents.

Sundays could also be a special case, with many people visiting the city not only to shop but to visit churches, take part in events or simply enjoy the surroundings. Visitors from other areas attracted to Plymouth by its special events are more likely to stay and explore if parking is free.

The council has made great strides in introducing pay-on-exit parking at major car parks and also allowing drivers to top up their parking fees by phone.

The £5 all-day parking at Western Approach also offers great value and is an encouragement for families to spend a whole day in town.

Economist Dr Steven Brand has played down the value of lower parking charges as a lifeline for the city economy.

And many people will also consider parking charges to be the fairest way to fund maintenance of the city centre.

But the council needs to remain flexible in its approach.

Free – or reduced – parking could be given a trial for late afternoons, late-night Thursdays and for Sundays.

But consideration should also be given to increasing park-and-ride services from outlying areas to restrict the number of people driving into the city centre.

Other cities have much higher parking fees than Plymouth. But many of these also have superior and cheaper park-and-ride facilities.

Mary Portas has raised issues which need to be explored.